Modern technologies have gone far from the times when the decor and decoration of various areas of the interior was a laborious and very complex process. Today, decorating walls in a bathroom or kitchen can be done in a matter of days, with a minimum of effort. If in the future design of your home you see a nice small ornament, then choose a mosaic. The technology of placing miniature squares on the grid allows you to glue large fragments at once, rather than individual elements. To get a beautiful drawing or a special panel, it is important to know the basic rules for cladding with small tiles.

Material features

Small squares (the average size is 1x1 cm), located at right angles - this is a mosaic. In the manufacture of tiles, they are placed on a mesh lining, forming a large square or rectangle. The main feature of this material is that it is flexible enough and suitable for decorating embossed walls, corners, bends or mini parapets. In addition, whole canvases are easy to combine with each other. By using the right glue and grout, an excellent result can be achieved.

Subtleties and features of the process: laying mosaic tiles

The special but uncomplicated installation process for new mosaic tiles begins with surface preparation. The main stages of preparation:

1. Purification. The walls are cleaned from the previous coating. It is necessary to remove to the rest a layer of old tiles, paint, wallpaper or other facing material. In new housing, it is enough to clean the surface of dust and debris.
2. Leveling the surface before laying. It is necessary to replace the layer of plaster by leveling the walls. If the level differences are too noticeable, then drywall sheets are attached.
3. Use a special solution (primer with a special composition of deep penetration) for better adhesion of the adhesive mixture. The final surface after processing must be sufficiently rough and completely dry.

It is important to have a ready-made design project that takes into account the location of the plumbing, lighting and decor. General data will help to correctly calculate the required number of mosaic elements and consumables.

Which mosaic tile to choose?

Mosaic cladding is not a new word in renovation. This method has been known since the days of Ancient Rome. But now small elements are collected on a grid, with which you can quickly glue a large area. Affordable cost, high performance and aesthetic properties make mesh mosaics more and more in demand. To choose the type of tile, you need to consider:

• type of premises (kitchen, bathroom, pool, shower, etc.);
• location (use outside or inside);
• creating a general background or section (for example, a decorative panel).

Modern cladding production offers customers a large selection of tiles on a grid made from various raw materials. Each type has its own number of advantages:

• Ceramic is glossy (coated with glaze) and matte. In terms of its properties, it is similar to a standard tile. It is often used because ceramics are easy to maintain and have a high level of resistance to moisture and heat. The ceramic sheet on the mesh is easy to glue, the simplest adhesive mixture is suitable for it.
• Glass is less popular due to its higher price. But the base of clear and tinted glass creates an incredible effect. When laying, such a coating requires a special solution that will not spoil the shade of the mosaic. When caring for glass elements, you must not use harsh abrasive products that can spoil the appearance (you need to protect from scuffs and scratches).
• Metal tiles are made of stainless steel or aluminum, which are great for modern and high-tech styles. Its price is higher than the previous ones, but it also looks many times more interesting. Strict metal squares cannot be placed on an uneven surface, otherwise the whole effect will be lost. It is also important for this material to choose a special type of grout and glue.
• Natural stone is chosen for eco-style interiors. Particularly impressive is a panel of such elements with a natural theme. The standard solution combines well with natural ingredients.

When it comes to tile joints, it is important to consider not only the composition, but also the color of the grout. It can be a contrast of shades to create the depth of the seams, or vice versa matching tone in tone, which visually expands the space. Special glitter mixes are an excellent alternative to glass base grout.

How to choose a quality adhesive solution?

The composition of the adhesive base must be ideally combined with the facing material. Therefore, the main criterion when choosing is the type of material from which small elements are made.

Cement based mixture

The standard composition of glue for tiles includes 5 parts of cement, 1 part of sand and another 10% (of the total mass) of a plasticizer. The last component is milk of lime or washing powder, which perfectly combines bulk substances. This mixture can be dark gray or white. It is not recommended to be used under glass or metal tiles and cannot be applied to drywall.

Adhesive from polymer components

If laying tiles is planned in an area with a high level of moisture (bathroom, pool, sauna, bath), then choose a mixture based on acrylic. Polymer components have high quality properties: they dry very quickly, after hardening they become like a stone or a very dense plastic. In addition, you can add paint to the mixture and get any shade. The acrylic mixture does not need to be prepared, but only stirred. The price for such properties is high.

Epoxy adhesive

A worthy competitor to the acrylic styling mix is ​​the epoxy mix. The finished substance includes powder or epoxy resin and a special hardener liquid. The two-component composition creates a strong, dense and at the same time transparent, like glass, base. Any type of tile can be glued onto it. This is an expensive product, but its exceptional properties are superior to other mixtures. It reliably fixes the tiles in any area and it will not be easy to remove such cladding during subsequent repairs.

Laying mosaic tiles on a grid

Materials and equipment

• Choose in advance the type of mosaic according to the interior design project and buy it in sufficient quantities (based on the calculated table of the coverage area).
• Pick up glue from an assortment of ready-made ones or prepare it yourself.
• Stock up on a primer (liquid for impregnating plaster under glue).
• Purchase two types of trowel - wide and notched.
• Prepare a container for the solution.
• To roll the canvases, you need a rubber roller (or silicone), you can also use a slicker or rubber float.
• A container of clean water and absorbent cleaning towels.
• Tape measure, building level, laser for marking, pencil and meter ruler.

Preparation and marking of surfaces

• determine the number of whole sheets (start counting from the top so that the cut fragments are in the area near the floor);
• create a lower horizontal border from which you can start gluing large fragments;
• all parallel lines during installation must be adjusted using the center line and checked with a level that the whole pattern does not move out at an angle.

How to glue a mosaic on a wall

The nuances of styling are fraught with simple rules, adhering to which you can really get a high quality result. Before gluing the fragments, you need to build a clear algorithm of actions:

• prime the plastered surface and allow to dry;
• make accurate markings taking into account all angles, bends and location of plumbing;
• start gluing the canvases.

Determine the largest areas and those surfaces that are the first to come into view. From them you need to start glueing the fragments of the mosaic. When gluing, move from bottom to top, from the middle to the corners. You don't need planks as you would with ordinary tiles. After all, the mosaic tile is lighter, moreover, its elements are fixed by a grid, which means that it will not slide out. To ensure that the sheets lay in an even layer, do not press or squeeze them. It can be fixed only with a roller.

Stacking algorithm

1. Apply the glue mixture evenly on the surface, distributing the material in wave-like movements (it is recommended to apply liquid glue to the coverage area of ​​5-10 canvases).
2. Apply a thin layer of adhesive mixture to the mesh.
3. Lay the canvas in relation to vertical and horizontal lines.
4. Run the rubber roller over the sheet to secure it.
5. After laying each row, check the parallels with a spirit level (bubble or laser).

Jointing the mosaic

The final stage of laying the mosaic canvases is the jointing or the application of a layer of grout. This is required to protect the inter-tile space from moisture penetration, preventing the destruction of the lower layer. And also creates an aesthetic appearance of the completeness of the decor. When applying a grout mixture, it is important to take into account the difference in cell depth between individual elements and whole sheets. Excess grout can be easily removed with soapy water.

Mesh mosaics are a good option for quick, beautiful and durable repairs. For a variety of design solutions, see the TILE FROM THE FACTORY website. We also invite you to visit the comfortable Kerama Marazzi store in Moscow at 27 Budyonny Ave.

The updated design of the kitchen and bathroom will help to give the apartment individuality and unusual style. You can quite successfully cope with the task yourself. To do this, you need to learn how to glue a mosaic and feel free to get to work.

Mosaic ˗ is a type of facing material, consisting of small rectangles or fragments of another shape (triangles, ovals, rhombuses, etc.). A variety of shapes, structures and colors, opens up possibilities for a flight of imagination when decorating an interior.

Manufacturers offer a large selection of facing materials. The mosaic can be piece or assembled into a certain picture on a silicone, paper or polymer base. This assembly method greatly simplifies the work of a wizard of any level.

A feature of modern mosaics is that the fastening substrate can be used during installation as a reinforcing material, which is an undoubted advantage when performing work.

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The composition of the mosaic is quite varied. The main materials used for the production of cladding:

• Ceramics (tiles).

• Glass (mirror, smalt).

• Natural stone.

• Artificial granite.

In order to understand which mosaic to choose, let's take a closer look at the material from which the cladding is produced.

Ceramic mosaic is better known to us as tile, it is made by firing clay. Durability, environmental friendliness of such material is the main advantage when choosing. Available with a glossy or matte finish or patterned on the surface. Withstands the load on the floor, ovens well.

Glass - the most popular and most famous, used since ancient times. Opens up a wide variety of decorative options. This also includes the mirror puzzle - puzzles made using the technology of creating mirrors, the edges of which are polished. Good for decorating small rooms, as it visually expands the space.

In this publication, we will consider which glue is better to choose for a mosaic, depending on the type of mosaic and the type of base.

Mosaic adhesive. Which glue to choose?

We are often asked the question: "What is the best glue for mosaic?" It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally. Now the market offers a lot of mosaic adhesives - white, gray, imported, domestic, cement, ready-made, reactive, etc.

In this publication we will try to figure out what are the main differences between the main types of mosaic glue, as well as determine which mosaic glue to buy for solving those or other problems.

To begin with, the choice of mosaic adhesive primarily depends on the type of mosaic.

• Ceramic mosaic.

Almost any cement-based adhesive will work for ceramic mosaics. When laying ceramic mosaics, the choice of glue depends to a large extent on the type and type of substrate (absorbent or non-absorbent, simple or complex). Since ceramic mosaics have a dense, opaque structure, both white and gray tile glue is suitable for gluing ceramic mosaics. If you want to glue the ceramic mosaic to a stable mineral surface (cement screed or plaster, absorbent concrete, etc.), you can use any tile adhesive. And if you need to glue ceramic mosaic on a non-absorbent or deformable base (waterproofing, underfloor heating system or old tiles), then you need to use elastic tile adhesives, for example, or.

• Natural stone mosaic.

The choice of adhesive for natural stone mosaic depends primarily on the type of stone. Certain types of natural marble may change color upon prolonged contact with water. If the stone is sensitive to moisture, then it is worth choosing a fast-setting cementitious tile adhesive, for example, or. Such adhesives quickly "assimilate" the mixing water, which significantly reduces the contact of the stone with the alkaline wet glue solution. Alternatively, reactive tile adhesives, such as polyurethane tile adhesive,, or, can be used for stone rocks that are sensitive to long-term exposure to moisture. Such adhesives do not contain water at all, so contact of the stone with moisture is completely excluded.

If natural stone is not sensitive to prolonged contact with moisture, then the choice of glue, as in the case of ceramic mosaic, will largely depend on the type of substrate. Almost all adhesives of class C2 according to EN 12004 are suitable for laying natural stone that is not susceptible to moisture on stable mineral surfaces. And on non-absorbent substrates, as in the case of ceramic mosaics, you need to use elastic adhesives.

• Glass mosaic.

Which glue to choose for glass mosaic? Of course white! Glass mosaic, if it has a transparent or translucent structure, allows us to see the base on which it is laid. Therefore, if you glue such a mosaic on a gray tile adhesive, you will see a rough gray base made of glue through the mosaic. It certainly won't add to the aesthetics of your cladding. Therefore, white adhesives are chosen for translucent and transparent glass mosaics. This can be white cement based tile cement, for example, or other white flexible cementitious adhesives with high wettability characteristics. Any white polyurethane-based adhesives (Keralastic T, Litoelastic, SuperFlex Eco) and ready-made water-based tile adhesives (,) are also suitable for glass mosaics. If the glass mosaic is not transparent (for example, "Chinese" paper-backed mosaic, which is often used in swimming pools), then you can use elastic glue of any color, including gray, to install it.

If you plan to lay glass mosaics in a bathroom or pool, then higher requirements are imposed on the quality of the glue. Since there is usually non-absorbent moisture in the bathroom and pool, it turns out that you need to glue one non-absorbent material (glass mosaic) to another (waterproofing). In this case, the tile adhesive must have maximum wettability and elasticity. To do this, liquid latex is added to the glue - a plasticizer, for example, or. Such additives are mixed with water to prepare a cement mortar, or completely replace water. There are cementitious adhesives that contain enough polymers to "convert" the mixing water into latex, such as "H40 Tenaflex Eco" or "Flexbond bianco".

For gluing glass mosaics in the pool and bathroom on waterproofing, if the cost of the glue is not decisive, use epoxy glue, for example, and or a glue based on polyurethane - "Litoelastic".

Often craftsmen use epoxy grout to glue glass mosaics, especially on paper backing (it can be used as glue - R2T, according to EN 12004). The advantage of this arrangement is that there is no need to scrub the glue residues from the seams between the mosaic chips. Anyone who cleaned the seams of the mosaic on a paper backing from the remnants of the glue was faced with the loss of individual mosaic elements. When using reactive grout, for example "Litochrom Starlike" or, there is no need to clean the glue from the seams, because the seams are already half trowelled. This method is especially useful for installing glass mosaics on paper backing in swimming pools.

Any highly elastic tile adhesive can be chosen for gluing mesh backing mosaics in the pool or bathroom. Since the mosaic tiles are held together with a mesh, when cleaning the seams, the mosaic chips are less prone to falling out. But it is worth noting that in swimming pools it is recommended to use mosaics on a paper backing, because it is in this case that the maximum and void-free contact of the mosaic with the tile adhesive is achieved.

So which mosaic adhesive should you buy?

As is clear from the publication, it is not necessary to buy white tile adhesive for the mosaic. White glue should be used when the surface on which it is laid can be seen through the mosaic - mosaic glue. In other cases, the color of the glue is not an important criterion. The main thing to pay attention to when choosing an adhesive for a mosaic is its wettability and elasticity, since it is these parameters that determine how reliably the adhesive "sticks" to non-absorbent waterproofing and glass mosaic. The most modern and versatile adhesives are polyurethane and epoxy, but they significantly surpass cement compositions in cost. Therefore, if you do not have a swimming pool, then you can safely lay mosaics on cement compositions - it will be no less reliable. Ready-made adhesives should be chosen for laying mosaics in places with low load and inconsistent contact with water - aprons in the kitchen, bathroom walls, corridors, etc. Otherwise, the choice of glue for mosaics is no different from. This choice always depends on:

• The type and structure of the base on which the mosaic is laid
• The type and structure of the mosaic (what materials it is made of, what kind of substrate)
• In what conditions will the mosaic cladding be used (pool, street, "warm floor", etc.)
• How urgently you need to hand over the object (quick-hardening glue or not)

The fashion for the interior changes every year. And also the materials are changing, with the help of which the ideas of designers are brought to life.

But, despite this, you always expect from the repair that it will be done with high quality, especially in those rooms that the family uses very often.

That is why ceramic tiles are the most common bathroom decor. It is very practical, but unfortunately monotonous. Therefore, it is often combined with mosaics.

This is an interesting finishing material with which you can create a unique interior in the shortest possible time. It has a wide variety in both texture and texture.

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Mosaic types

Mosaic tiles come in several varieties:

• glass
• metal
• ceramic
• stone.

The most popular is ceramic mosaic. This is due to its physical properties. It tolerates temperature changes well, does not lose its original appearance for a long time, and tolerates the effects of chemical aggregates well.

In order to fit the mosaic well with your own hands, you will have to make a lot of effort, but if you adhere to certain rules, the result will fully meet expectations.

Stages of work

Let's look at the process of laying mosaic in the bathroom in stages:

1. Aligning the walls. This is the most important stage of the work, because if the wall is uneven, then in the future it will cause a lot of problems, and, as they say, the game will not be worth the candle.
   
   

   To check the wall for the absence of depressions on it (in the absence of a building level), you need to take a flat wooden plank and paint one of its sides with chalk. Next, you should press the bar against the wall and draw a straight line from floor to ceiling. If the chalk line on the wall is clear, then you can proceed to further work.



2. Priming the walls. The color of the primer should be neutral shades so that it does not shine strongly from under the mosaic and tiles (it will inform you how to properly apply the primer to the walls).



Take a note: if it was decided to combine the mosaic with ceramic tiles, then first you need to put the ceramic tiles, and then glue the mosaic.

3. Mosaic laying. There are two types of ceramic mosaics:
   • on a paper basis;
   • on the grid.

   

   
   They do not differ much from each other. So, it is more convenient to glue a mosaic on a mesh base to the wall due to the frame base. A paper-based mosaic does not have such a frame.
4. Grouting. Before starting grouting, remove the protective coating from the mosaic. The glued coating is removed very easily, but the paper one does not always come off well. Therefore, before starting this process, it is recommended to moisten the paper surface with water, and then remove the paper with a sponge.
   
   

   After that, you can start making a solution for grouting the mosaic. The same grout is perfect for ceramic mosaics as for ceramic tiles.

Before proceeding with the decor of the wall, you should come up with an ornament, along which it will then be convenient to lay the mosaic. It is desirable to draw it on a 1: 1 scale. And lay out the drawing on a paper pattern. Then duplicate it on the wall.

Master's advice: since the tiles are not always laid at an even angle according to the pattern, it is advisable to purchase special pliers, with which it is convenient to divide the small squares of the mosaic into various geometric shapes.

Alternatively, pieces of homemade mosaic (from broken glass, tiles, etc.) can be preliminarily laid out on a special reinforced mesh (you can buy it at any hardware store), and then glue the finished drawing on the mesh to the wall. To do this, you should buy a special mosaic glue.

Note: tile adhesive is not suitable for these purposes, since it is too liquid and will not fix the weight of the decorative coating well.

The adhesive is applied directly to the mosaic with a notched trowel. Its thickness should be at least 1 cm. On the mosaic plate glued to the wall, it is necessary to knock lightly with a rubber spatula for better adhesion of the glue to the wall.

When laying tiles, it is important to remember:

• glue the mosaic sheet to the wall immediately in the place allotted to it, since then it will be impossible to move it around the sides;
• you need to start laying it from the corners with which it adjoins the ceramic tiles. Since the difference between their thickness is 4 mm, it will be more convenient to take the thickness of the already laid tiles as a reference point;
• since the thickness of the tiles and mosaics is different, then before gluing the mosaic, you need to make a base wall covering. To do this, glue is applied to it in a thick layer and completely dried. And then the mosaic can be glued with the second layer.

After finishing the bathtub, it is not advisable to use it for a week. Since it takes time for all materials to dry completely.

Look video instruction on the mosaic tiling of the washbasin box in the bathroom:

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The bathroom is the face of the whole house, guests inevitably get there. Therefore, it should look presentable. There are no trifles in this matter: the floor, ceiling, walls should be covered with not only practical, but also beautiful material, easy to maintain and maintain. As an option, along with large-sized ceramic tiles, builders began to use mosaic tiles.

Traditionally, mosaic is considered a top-class material and not many people could afford to use it in the past. The main difficulty was the laying of many small tiles, but now this problem has been solved. A mosaic on a grid that combines individual particles into blocks convenient for installation allows you to fix the material quickly and effortlessly. But before heading to the store, it is worth learning more about the varieties of mosaic tiles, their purpose and the nuances of laying.

Mosaic tiles in the interior

Features of the material and its varieties

The mosaic consists of small (1x1 cm) fragments of finishing materials, located at regular intervals and forming a single picture. In this case, these elements are fixed on a flexible metal mesh. This material can be used for cladding floors and walls, as a coating for kitchen furniture and even for decorating facades and garden paths.

According to the type of surface, the mosaic is glossy and matte. Gloss is easier to maintain and is more often used for walls in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, kitchen), and matte tiles with anti-slip properties are more suitable for flooring.

Another criterion affecting the appearance, technical characteristics and cost of the mosaic is the material of manufacture. On sale is a mosaic from:

What should be the base to be tiled?

Unlike ordinary tiles, the mosaic is placed not just on a flat, but on a perfectly smooth surface, otherwise, due to the flexible mesh base, repeating any irregularities, the pattern will be damaged, and the edges will not converge. Therefore, the technology of laying mosaic tiles requires careful preparation of the base.

Filling small irregularities on the walls

First, the walls or floor are cleaned of old coating and dust. Then they are checked by the level for the presence of elevation differences. To make it easier to eliminate irregularities, use the following technique - thickly rub an even rail of a suitable size with chalk and, pressing well, run it along the walls or floor. In places where no chalk will remain, there are depressions that need to be filled with plaster or concrete mixture (if the mosaic is being laid on the floor). With serious flaws and cracks, the walls are more rational and easier to level with drywall, not forgetting to wipe the joints and caps of the screws.

The prepared surface is dedusted and treated with a deep penetration primer. This will improve adhesion, ensuring better adhesion of the materials. After the composition has dried, you can proceed to the installation of the mosaic.

How to choose the right mosaic tile adhesive?

Glue

Some types of mosaics are very capricious to adhesives, so you need to choose glue based on the specific material with which you plan to work. Laying the mosaic on the mesh is performed using the following compositions:

• Standard glue. It consists of sand, Portland cement and modifying additives. Suitable for laying opaque tiles on standard surfaces.
• Polymer composition. Polymer components provide reliable adhesion, making the adhesive suitable for facing surfaces of complex shapes.
• White glue. It contains the same components as the standard one, the only difference is the white color, supported by special components. Glass mosaics are only laid with this solution.
• Homemade solution. The required ingredients are water, cement and fine, well-sifted sand. All components are mixed to a medium consistency with a drill with a special nozzle. The cost price of such glue will be low, but it is better to use it for concrete or stone mosaics.

If you have to work with a wooden surface or drywall, the glue must be selected individually. In particular, for wood cladding, it is recommended to add PVA to standard adhesives.

Mosaic laying technology

The question of how to glue mosaic tiles on a grid correctly is of interest to many novice tilers. You should start by laying out the mosaic fragments in the selected order on a horizontal surface. For the convenience of further work, the tiles should be numbered. However, if your mosaic does not have a specific pattern, this step can be neglected.

Glue distribution

Laying mosaic tiles starts from the most visible area. This is to make it easier to mask the clipping points of the material. It is advisable to think over the stacking scheme and the location of the cuts in advance. If the pattern and footage of the surface involves trimming only along the seam, you can divide the mesh with ordinary scissors-nippers, and for accurate cutting of the tile itself, you will have to use a glass cutter.

The adhesive is applied to the surface to be coated in small portions, given that it takes about 15 minutes to dry. The solution is spread with a notched trowel (tooth height 6-8 mm), a tile is applied to it and leveled. The result is checked by level. In order for the mosaic to stand well, you cannot press it with your hands; instead, the laid tiles are rolled with a rubber roller. If you are laying tiles on a kitchen "apron", before starting work, draw its lower border with a line and attach a metal profile along it, on which the material will rest.

The material is gently pressed with a roller

Pay attention to the distance between the sheets, it should match the gaps between the individual tiles. If there are visible ends of the mesh at the joints of walls or other surfaces after trimming, they can be hidden under the decorative outline. After finishing the installation, the mosaic coating is cleaned with fresh glue - the excess solution is removed with a damp sponge. Then the surface is wiped dry and left to dry for 2-3 days.

Grouting

Laying mosaic tiles with your own hands is completed by cleaning the seams. To do this, you need a trowel mixture. There are compositions based on cement, latex and epoxy. When choosing, be guided by the operating conditions of the tile, if it will be exposed to thermal stress and chemicals, it is worth taking a grout with the addition of epoxy resin. But keep in mind that its use will require preliminary protective waxing of the mosaic.

Grouting with white compound

The color of the grout is equally important. It sets off the mosaic pattern and, being poorly chosen, can ruin the whole picture. Compare your grout to a small piece of your tile to make sure you have the right color combination.

The selected mixture is diluted with water, referring to the instructions on the package. If you use a grout with a water-repellent effect, then in the process of preparing the solution you cannot do without a drill with a mixing nozzle. It is recommended to apply the solution with a rubber spatula. Work will go faster if you use a 15-20 cm spatula.

The final touch - cleaning the coating from excess grout

The grouting mixture dries up in 10-15 minutes, after which the excess composition is removed by wiping the mosaic surface with a damp sponge in a circular motion. Frequent rinsing of the sponge will prevent streaks on the tiles. Laying the mosaic is over, it remains only to let the coating dry.

Is a creative process where attention to detail will never be superfluous. When choosing a wall covering material, consider what conditions it will be used in, as well as how the tile is combined with the floor, ceiling and other elements. Pay special attention to textiles. It is good if it repeats the color and pattern fragments of the selected coating.

Let's summarize. With careful attention to detail and the use of the necessary tools, the technology of laying mosaic on a grid is not a problem even for a layman. So maybe you should show a little diligence and imagination and decorate the interior of your home with a mosaic pattern?